Zlin Aircraft

Zlin Aircraft a.s. (former well known name Moravan Otrokovice) is a Czech light aircraft company. It is located at the Zlín Airfield on the outskirts of Otrokovice. It is known for the line of Z-26 Trener and other small aircraft like crop-dusting Z-37 and aerobatics special Z-50.

Zlin Aircraft
Formerly
  • Zlin Aviation
  • Zlin Aviation Works
  • Zlínavion
  • Moravan
IndustryAerospace
Founded1934 (1934)
Headquarters,
Revenue152,185,000 Czech koruna (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
−365,000 Czech koruna (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
2,492,000 Czech koruna (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
Total assets291,600,000 Czech koruna (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
Number of employees
138 (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
Parent
  • Baťa
    (1934–19??)
  • Automobilové závody
    (1946–1948)
  • Let
    (1948–1953)
Websitewww.zlinaircraft.eu

History

Zlínská letecká společnost, a. s. (1934–1938)

Founded in 1934 as Zlínská letecká společnost, a. s. (Zlín Aviation company), by Zlín-based company Baťa, it started to produce glider and single engine aircraft trainers. Later production expanded to segments of sport and agriculture aircraft. Trainer Z-XII became the most popular type of the era.

Zlínské letecké závody, a.s. (1938–1945)

During the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the factory was known as Zlínské letecké závody, a.s. (Zlin Aviation Works JSC). It produced German trainer types Klemm Kl 35, after the war known as C-1 in Czechoslovakia, and a low-wing Bücker Bü 181 which was later produced as Z-181 (military designation C-6).

Zlínavion (1945–1952)

After WWII, the company was nationalised and used its official name Zlínské letecké závody, a.s. v národní správě (Zlín Aviation Works JSC under National Administration) and later on, it was incorporated to the Automobilové závody, národní podnik (Automotive Works, National Enterprise) as its Otrokovice Plant using its new trade name Zlínavion. In mid-Sept 1948, the factory became a part of newly established Let, národní podnik (seated in Prague) as its Plant No.7 in Otrokovice (nominally merged with Zlin and renamed to Gottwaldov on 1 January 1949).

Moravan, n.p. (1953–1989)

In 1953 a new name Moravan, was adopted and marked the beginning of the most famous period for the company. Series of Z-26 Trener were produced in the 1960s and 70s in large numbers for domestic civil and military use as well as export to both eastern and western customers. The type was one of the most popular for modern aerobatics competitions and it contributed to definition of high performance aerobatics specials. Other Zlin aircraft from the time are crop-dusting Z-37 Čmelák, Reliable all-metal trainers, two seat Z-42/142 and four seat Z-43 and a new aerobatics special Z-50 which was a next generation aerobatics type replacing the Z-26 series in competitions.

Moravan a.s. (1990-2006)

The state enterprise was transformed to a joint-stock company after the fall of the Communist regime. It continued in production of the Z-42 and Z-43 series but the sales were rapidly falling and the sales network became disorganized as the company organization did not adapt to the market changes from centrally organized eastern markets to the free competition. Also the aircraft design was outdated (mainly engines) and the company could not find customers for its specific advantages (reliability and simple maintenance). The company suffered financial problems in 2002, it was renamed Moravan-Aeroplanes a.s. and it continued production of upgraded variants of Z-242L and Z-143L with improved wing design and Lycoming engines. It also prepared the Z-143Lsi variant with fuel injection engine. However, the financial situation became even worse and the company declared bankruptcy in 2005. In December 2006, the company was taken over by CzechAircraft, s. r. o. owned by Irish QucomHaps Holding Ltd. represented by Billy Harkin and renamed Moravan Aviation s.r.o.

Moravan Aviation s.r.o. (2006–2010)

The production line has not changed and the backbone of the company activities were Z-143L and Z-242L, followed by the finally certified variant of Z-143LSi. The business was also extended with sub-deliveries to other aircraft factories in the Czech Republic like Aero Vodochody and LET Aircraft Industries. But the revival was short-lived and the famed company was closed due to long-term poor financial results and management in March 2010.[1]

Zlin Aircraft a.s. (2009–present)

Zlin Aircraft a.s. was founded in July 2009 with a goal to take over the production of the Zlin aircraft. It bought all the rights to manufacture the current line of the Z-143L, Z-242L and Z-143Lsi as well as buildings, materials and personnel from Moravan Aviation. The company possesses all necessary certificates issued either by EASA or by local State authorities and/or ministries. Another notable activity is maintenance and overhauls of the Zlin aircraft which are still very popular.

Zlin 42M

Products

Aircraft

Model name First flight Number built Type
Zlín Z-I 11 Glider
Zlín Z-II 1 Glider
Zlín Z-III 1 Glider
Zlín Z-IV 6 Glider
Zlín Z-V 121 Glider
Zlín Z-VI 28 Glider
Zlín Z-VII 2 Glider
Zlín Z-VIII 2 Glider
Zlín Z-IX 1
Zlín Z-X 3 Glider
Zlín Z-XI 1934 1
Zlín Z-XII 1935 201 Single engine sport airplane
Zlín Z-XIII 1937 1 Single engine racing aircraft
Zlín Z-XV 1939 2
Zlín Z-XVIII 1
Zlín 212 51
Zlín Kl 35B 323 License built single engine trainer
Zlín Z-13 1 to 211 Glider
Zlín Z-20 1 Twin engine transport
Zlín Z-22 Junak 1947 31 Single engine utility airplane
Zlín Z-24 301 Glider
Zlin Z-25 Šohaj 1947 101 Glider
Zlín Z-26 Trener 1947 164 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-28 1947 four-seat utility aircraft project
Zlín Z-30 1 to 41 Glider
Zlín Z-33 Derviš 1 Single seat light sport aircraft project
Zlín Z-34 1958 twin-boom agricultural aircraft project
Zlín Z 35 1 Helicopter
Zlín Z-36 1960 single seat ultralight project
Zlín Z-37 Čmelák 1963 790 Single engine agricultural airplane
Zlín Z-38 1963 agricultural autogyro project
Zlín Z-39 1963 two-seat trainer project
Zlín Z 41 1967 Single engine trainer[2]
Zlín Z 42 1967 193 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z 43 1968 80 Single engine trainer/touring aircraft; four seat version of Z 42
Zlín Z-44 Projected single-seat aerobatic version of Z-44
Zlín Z 45 Single-seat crop sprayer project
Zlín Z-46 8-seat, twin engine light aircraft project
Zlín Z-47 High-wing turboprop utility aircraft project
Zlín Z-50 1975 83 Single engine aerobatic airplane
Zlín Z-52 two-seat trainer project
Zlín Z-90 Four-seat twin-engine light aircraft project
Zlín Z-113 1 to 211 Glider
Zlín Z-122 1946 2
Zlín Z-124 4 Glider
Zlín Z-125 151 Glider
Zlín Z-126 Trener 2 1953 167 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-130 1 to 41 Glider
Zlín Z 135 1 Helicopter
Zlín Z 142 1978 364 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z 143 56 to 143 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-181 71 License built single engine trainer
Zlín Z-192 2
Zlín Z-225 1 Glider
Zlín Z-226 364 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z 242 125 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-281 79 License built single engine trainer
Zlín Z-326 Trener Master 1957 436 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-381 315 License built single engine trainer
Zlín Z-425 1 Glider
Zlín Z-426 1960 light agricultural aircraft project
Zlín Z 526 Trener Master 1965 325 Single engine trainer
Zlín Z-626 Projected simplified version of Z-526AS
Zlín Z-726 Universal 1973 32 Single engine trainer
Zlín Bü 181 783 License built single engine trainer
Zlín HC 2 1 to 36 Helicopter
Zlín HC 102 1 to 36 Helicopter
Zlín Herkules H1 6
Zlín Herkules H2 153
Zlín Herkules H3 522
Zlín PLK 5 1

Engines

  • Persy I
  • Persy II
  • Persy III
  • Toma 4
  • Toma 6

See also

References

Notes

  1. "Detail of Insolvency Proceedings Moravan Aviation s.r.o." Insolvency Register (in Czech). Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  2. "Zlin Z-42. 1975. - History". Polot. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021.

Bibliography

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